How to make Windows boot from a SSD

[Daniel Hadaya]

Hello,
I currently have a 1TB HDD (WD), and I have used almost 50% of it. I found a unused SDD (Kingston), which is only 60GB, so I am wondering is it possible to make Windows boot from the SSD (and maybe few games if there is enough space)?

I haven't found any solution from the internet, as the storage size difference is too big. If it is possible, help would be appreciated!

 

[rabmcnair90]

60GB should be enough for a boot drive and just move My documents folders to the HDD, so the SSD does not fill up.

Personally I would limit the SSD to Windows as 60 GB is on the low side.

In order to get your system booting from SSD, disconnect the HDD and connect the SSD, make sure you have AHCI enabled in BIOS before you start. It is important to disconnect the HDD before installing Windows or the files will be shared between drives which can be a real pain.

 

[Daniel Hadaya]

60GB should be enough for a boot drive and just move My documents folders to the HDD, so the SSD does not fill up.

Personally I would limit the SSD to Windows as 60 GB is on the low side.

In order to get your system booting from SSD, disconnect the HDD and connect the SSD, make sure you have AHCI enabled in BIOS before you start. It is important to disconnect the HDD before installing Windows or the files will be shared between drives which can be a real pain.

So do I have to install a separate Windows to the SSD? If I do so, will I loose anything (desktop images, any files etc.?)

Thank you

 

[USAFRet]

So do I have to install a separate Windows to the SSD? If I do so, will I loose anything (desktop images, any files etc.?)

Thank you

You won't lose anything.
But any applications in your current install will not be usable.
Images on your current desktop will be a pain to access.

You'd be starting out with a clean bare OS. Applications would need to be reinstalled.
In addition, it's not really advisable to have the other OS still living on the old drive. I've seen many issues with having two viable identical OS's in one system.


What you seek is doable, but a real PITA.

 

[rabmcnair90]

If you have an external drive or a large enough USB stick then back up all the files you want to keep from the HDD and wipe it, then transfer the files back onto the HDD.

Always best starting from fresh when you do a reinstall of Windows.

 

[Daniel Hadaya]

So do I have to install a separate Windows to the SSD? If I do so, will I loose anything (desktop images, any files etc.?)

Thank you

You won't lose anything.
But any applications in your current install will not be usable.
Images on your current desktop will be a pain to access.

You'd be starting out with a clean bare OS. Applications would need to be reinstalled.
In addition, it's not really advisable to have the other OS still living on the old drive. I've seen many issues with having two viable identical OS's in one system.


What you seek is doable, but a real PITA.

Thanks for the reply's.
I think I'll buy a bigger SSD in the future and make a clean install, too much to mess with this small SSD atm.

Should everything work OK if I install Steam and few games to this SSD, does it matter that Windows is not installed in it? Just to get a boost on the loading times.
Thank you.

 

[USAFRet]

Should everything work OK if I install Steam and few games to this SSD, does it matter that Windows is not installed in it? Just to get a boost on the loading times.
Thank you.

You don't even have to install the Steam client to that drive.
Just some games.

Steam games location
In the steam client:
Steam
Settings
Downloads
Steam Library Folders
Add library folder

To move an already installed game
Games library
Right click the game
Properties
Local Files
Move Install Folder

 

[Daniel Hadaya]

Should everything work OK if I install Steam and few games to this SSD, does it matter that Windows is not installed in it? Just to get a boost on the loading times.
Thank you.

You don't even have to install the Steam client to that drive.
Just some games.

Steam games location
In the steam client:
Steam
Settings
Downloads
Steam Library Folders
Add library folder

To move an already installed game
Games library
Right click the game
Properties
Local Files
Move Install Folder

I appreciate your help!
Have a great day.